According to the report, general manager Mitch Kupchak and star guard Kobe Bryant have been advocating acquiring Bell, 36, since the summer, but D'Antoni's history coaching him with the Phoenix Suns has brought renewed interest in a deal.

Raja Bell has become a hot topic with the Lakers since his former coach, Mike D'Antoni, became the head man in Los Angeles. (AP Photo)

Bell is under contract with the Jazz but has stayed away this season, with the Jazz’s approval, while his agent, Herb Rudoy, searches out deals elsewhere. According to Yahoo!, once Bell has secured a contract for the veteran's minimum elsewhere, the Jazz will buy out the difference on the remaining $3.5 million on his 2012-13 contract.

Bell wouldn't lose any money between the buyout and joining a new team, but money is a complicating factor for the Lakers because they already have a $100 million payroll and will owe another $30 million in luxury tax.

To sign the veteran guard, they would have to cut a player, still paying his salary, and then take on Bell’s $1.3 million salary, plus pay the extra tax signing him would cause.

Yahoo! reported that the Lakers have been trying for weeks to trade bench players to create roster and payroll space but have thus far been unsuccessful.

Meanwhile, the Chicago Bulls have shown some interest in Bell, too, but haven't made any offers, unidentified league sources told Yahoo! Sports.

Bell has been working out in his hometown of Miami, the website reported.

When his minutes and role diminished a year ago, Bell began to clash with Jazz coach Tyrone Corbin. Bell started 30 games for the Jazz in 2011-12, but his minutes steadily decreased over the season.